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Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

Featured in Family Dinner Ideas.

Shrimp Alfredo combines succulent seafood with a luxurious homemade cream sauce for an impressive yet straightforward pasta dish. The recipe starts with perfectly cooked fettuccine pasta while plump shrimp are seasoned and quickly sautéed until just pink. The rich Alfredo sauce comes together with butter, fresh garlic, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, creating a smooth and velvety texture. Every strand of pasta gets coated in the creamy sauce before being combined with the tender shrimp. Fresh parsley adds a pop of color and freshness, while optional red pepper flakes can add a gentle heat. This restaurant-worthy dish strikes the perfect balance between the sweet shrimp and rich, cheesy sauce.
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Updated on Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:12:09 GMT
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Shrimp Alfredo | quickierecipe.com

Experience the perfect blend of tender shrimp and silky homemade Alfredo sauce in this classic Italian-American pasta dish. This restaurant-worthy recipe transforms simple ingredients into a luxurious dinner, proving that gourmet results are possible in your own kitchen. The combination of fresh seafood, rich cream sauce, and al dente pasta creates an unforgettable dining experience in just half an hour.

I discovered this version of shrimp Alfredo during a cooking class in Italy. The instructor emphasized using quality ingredients and proper timing, transforming this simple dish into something extraordinary. Every time I make it, the aroma of garlic and parmesan takes me back to that small Tuscan kitchen.

Essential Ingredients

  • Fresh large shrimp: Bring a sweet, delicate flavor to the dish. Choose wild-caught when possible for the best taste
  • Heavy cream: Creates the foundation for a rich, velvety sauce that coats every bite
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese: Adds sharp, salty notes while helping thicken the sauce naturally
  • Quality pasta: Preferably fettuccine, provides the perfect base with its sauce-gripping texture
  • Fresh garlic and parsley: Brighten the dish with their aromatic flavors

Detailed Cooking Instructions

Pasta Preparation:
Bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Add a generous amount of salt to season the pasta. Cook fettuccine until just barely al dente. Reserve one cup of pasta water before draining.
Perfect the Shrimp:
Pat shrimp completely dry with paper towels. Season generously with salt and freshly ground pepper. Heat pan until oil shimmers before adding shrimp. Cook until just pink, maintaining their juicy texture.
Create the Signature Sauce:
Start with melted butter and fresh garlic. Add cream slowly while stirring constantly. Incorporate broth gradually for proper consistency. Whisk in cheese until completely smooth. Adjust thickness with reserved pasta water.
Bring It All Together:
Return pasta to the pan, tossing with tongs to coat. Add shrimp and heat through gently. Adjust seasoning thoughtfully. Finish with fresh herbs and extra cheese.
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Easy Shrimp Alfredo | quickierecipe.com

The Art of Sauce Making

Creating the perfect Alfredo sauce requires patience and attention. The key lies in adding ingredients in the right order and maintaining proper heat. This method ensures a smooth, never-broken sauce that coats each strand of pasta perfectly.

Mastering Temperature Control

Proper heat management prevents the sauce from breaking and keeps the shrimp tender. The pan should be hot enough to create a slight simmer but never reaching a full boil, which could cause the cream to separate.

Creating a Complete Meal

A crisp green salad with lemon vinaigrette provides the perfect contrast to this rich pasta dish. Garlic bread helps soak up every drop of the precious sauce, while a glass of chilled white wine completes the experience.

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Yummy Shrimp Alfredo | quickierecipe.com

Through years of preparing this dish, I've learned that using freshly grated Parmesan creates the smoothest sauce. This small detail makes a noticeable difference in both texture and flavor.

After perfecting this recipe countless times, I've found that these techniques consistently produce restaurant-quality results. The key to exceptional shrimp Alfredo lies in treating each component with care and attention. When done right, this dish proves that luxurious Italian cuisine is achievable in any home kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp work well. Just thaw them completely and pat dry before cooking to ensure proper searing.
→ How can I prevent my Alfredo sauce from breaking?
Keep the heat medium-low when adding the cream and cheese, and stir constantly. Never let the sauce boil after adding the cheese.
→ Can I make this dish ahead of time?
While best served fresh, you can prepare the components separately and reheat gently with a splash of cream to restore the sauce.
→ What can I substitute for heavy cream?
While heavy cream provides the best results, you can use half-and-half mixed with butter for a lighter version.
→ Why did my sauce turn out grainy?
Grainy sauce usually results from adding cheese to too-hot liquid or using pre-grated cheese. Use freshly grated Parmesan and lower heat.

Creamy Shrimp Alfredo Pasta

This classic Shrimp Alfredo features tender shrimp and fettuccine pasta tossed in a rich, homemade Parmesan cream sauce for an elegant dinner.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
25 Minutes
Total Time
40 Minutes
By: Meryem

Category: Main Dishes

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: Italian-American

Yield: 4 Servings (4 generous portions)

Dietary: ~

Ingredients

→ Pasta and Shrimp

01 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
02 1 pound large shrimp, peeled and deveined
03 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
04 Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

→ Creamy Alfredo Sauce

05 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
06 3 cloves fresh garlic, finely minced
07 1 cup heavy cream
08 1 cup chicken broth
09 1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

10 Fresh parsley, chopped
11 Red pepper flakes (optional)
12 Extra Parmesan cheese for serving

Instructions

Step 01

Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a rolling boil. Add your fettuccine and cook until al dente, following package instructions (typically 8-10 minutes). Drain and toss with a touch of olive oil to prevent sticking.

Step 02

Season your shrimp with salt and pepper, then toss with olive oil. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes per side until they turn pink and curl slightly. If you like a bit of heat, add a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Remove the shrimp and set aside.

Step 03

In the same skillet, melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and chicken broth, stirring to incorporate any flavorful bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer and reduce for 3-5 minutes, then stir in the Parmesan cheese until you have a smooth, creamy sauce.

Step 04

Add the cooked pasta to your sauce, tossing until every strand is coated in creamy goodness. Gently fold in the cooked shrimp to warm them through. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh parsley, extra Parmesan, and red pepper flakes if desired.

Notes

  1. For the best texture, cook pasta just until al dente
  2. Use freshly grated Parmesan for the smoothest sauce
  3. Pairs beautifully with a glass of Chardonnay or Pinot Grigio

Tools You'll Need

  • Large pot for pasta
  • Large skillet
  • Colander
  • Cheese grater

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains shellfish (shrimp)
  • Contains dairy (butter, cream, Parmesan)
  • Contains wheat/gluten (pasta)